* The Reviewmeister looks at Buffalo Technology's line of AirStation 802.11g products
If you’re in the market for an 802.11g wireless broadband router, check out the Buffalo Technology line of AirStation 802.11g products, which are easy enough for home users yet sophisticated enough to keep many IT managers happy.
We tested the new WBR G54 AirStation 54M bit/sec Broadband Router and AirStation 54M bit/sec CardBus Card. Installation and setup went fairly well, although the quick-start guide could use some work. It contains 18 steps, some with multiple options, and in many cases asks for unnecessary information. However, the AirStation correctly configured itself without hitch or interruption.
Even without providing paper documentation, Buffalo provides plenty of handholding. Help files come bundled with the PC Card client configuration manager, in the router’s browser-based administration utility, and on the CD-ROM. Almost every entry in the administration utility includes a “Show me the help file” icon, which pops open a description of the item along with explanations for each choice.
The CardBus includes a client manager utility that shows connection strength (by a percentage of bandwidth number at the bottom of the utility window) and lists all the AirStation access points found in the area. Home users won’t need this, typically, except to check signal strength, but companies with multiple wireless access points will appreciate this screen. IP address changes can be made, and you can check connection strength and perform diagnostics from any wireless client.
The administration utility is well done, providing plenty of information. The AirStation includes intrusion detection, detailed log files and traffic statistics. The screens are well laid out and a left-hand menu eases navigation. Under management, you’ll find the “Transfer Packet Condition” utility, which counts data packets passed through the router to and from the wired LAN, the broadband connection and the wireless LAN clients. Headings show the number of packets sent and received, as well as error packets. While overkill for some home users, the views are unobtrusive and provide IT departments with important information.
Street price for the WBR G54 Wireless router/access point is only $130, and the PC CardBus Card costs about $60. Even with business-class management features, the router best serves the home and small-office network. Larger companies might want VPN passthrough support, which the device lacks (and competitors Efficient Networks and NetGear offer). And since the 802.11g specification was just recently ratified, unproven vendor interoperability might limit a firm’s enthusiasm for a vendor without a full enterprise product line.
For the full report, go to https://www.nwfusion.com/net.worker/columnists/2003/0224gaskin.html
